A TOWN'S central market has been demolished to make way for a new supermarket.
Central Market in Pershore is now a pile of rubble after workers tore down the building as part of plans to build a new Aldi in the town.
Images show the building half destroyed with a crane ripping it apart whilst a worker in high-vis watches on.
Plans to build a new 1,780 sqft supermarket in the town centre were approved in June and Aldi has confirmed that "preliminary site preparations have begun".
(Image: Sophie Sidaway)
An Aldi spokesperson said: "We're pleased to have begun preliminary site preparations for our Pershore store, and will begin construction in the coming months.
"Once open, the store will create up to 40 jobs and help local people shop and save closer to home."
The market building was demolished on November 25.
One resident said: "Earlier this afternoon demolition teams were knocking down the old NFU building to make way for Pershore's new Aldi supermarket.
"When the newly revealed Central Market sign was knocked down it felt very much like the end of an era."
Aldi will occupy the former Pershore Market site, which closed at the end of 2023 after the owner had deemed that it was no longer viable.
The development project will feature a new pedestrian walkway between Pershore's High Street and King George's Way, alongside a number of green and low-carbon measures including capacity for 21 electric vehicle charging points on site and 124 car parking spaces.
(Image: Sophie Sidaway)
In June, Ian Edwards, Wychavon Council's director of economy and environment, said: "This is positive news for Pershore as it will create new jobs and boost choice for residents.
"It will attract people into the high street which will benefit other businesses."
Whilst a spokesperson for Pershore Town Council said: "Members of Pershore Town Council are excited for the impact this will have on the future of the High Street.
"It was vitally important to the town council that any new supermarket retailer was located in the town centre, rather than on the outskirts, helping to increase footfall into, and to support, other local traders.
"We want to thank Aldi for being so cooperative during the planning process."